Cara Behneman, assistant director at UMBC Hillel, has been named a participant in Hillel’s Harrison Leadership and Professional International Development (Harrison LAPID) Initiative, a prestigious program that provides Hillel professionals with skills to further their development, so that they may engage and empower future student leaders.

“I am excited to participate in the program as I view Hillel work as sacred work. It is inspiring, nurturing and sometimes exhausting. I am inspired most by our ability to affect change in the world by motivating students to use their education, resources and Jewish identities for good. This is my life’s work. I do not always know what path that will take, but I know my place in Hillel is in no way ordinary,” says Behneman. “I expect that participation in Harrison LAPID will allow me to do no less than explore the sacred, improve Jewish life at UMBC and give back to my colleagues.”

Supported by Hillel International Board of Governors member and Board of Directors Vice Chair Dr Lynne B Harrison, the objective of Harrison LAPID is to provide engagement, leadership, and professional skills for Hillel professionals and students, and to inspire them to create their own tzedek (social justice) initiatives, providing a Jewish context to develop their values, leadership potential and sense of peoplehood.

“Cara was selected from a talented pool of applicants from around the globe,” explains Arya Marvazy, director of the Harrison LAPID program. “Her participation in this initiative will enable her to better serve Hillel on her campus and enrich the lives of its students.”

The initiative, now entering its third year, has graduated two cohorts of talented, passionate and dedicated Hillel professionals who have facilitated student leadership development and advanced numerous tzedek initiatives on campuses and in their communities.